1993 Mario Andretti Original Grand Prix-Worn Race Suit

Extraordinary professional race uniform worn by driving legend Mario Andretti at the 1993 Cleveland Grand Prix. Sparco brand uniform, made in Italy, complete and intact, with all collar tags, internal identification strip along zipper, internal back strap, all patches and embroidery, etc. Mario Andretti's name is embroidered in black lettering in the lower left of the waist. The uniform is beautifully decorated on the front, back, shoulders, and sleeves, with the numerous patches and embroidered logos of Andretti's many commercial sponsors, including BASF, K-Mart, Texaco, Gillette, and Good Year. Top-quality professional racing uniforms are extremely elaborate and expensively produced fire-resistant outfits, far more costly and complex in construction than uniforms from any other sport. These have more in common with NASA space suits than with a baseball or football uniform. The cost of a new racing uniform of this quality from Sparco, the premier race uniform manufacturer in the world, would literally be many thousands of dollars. Few quality driver-worn examples ever appear in the marketplace. This is a rare and simply extraordinary example from the sport's most celebrated Hall of Fame driver. This uniform originates directly from Mario Andretti. It is signed in black marker in the upper left by Andretti ("8"), and is accompanied by a signed letter directly from Mario Andretti ("10"), dated July 19, 1993 on his personal stationery certifying that this is his personal uniform which was worn by him at the 1993 Cleveland Grand Prix. Among the many records compiled by Andretti in his 36-year professional career was being the only driver in race-car history to win the Indy 500, the Daytona 500 and the Formula One world titles. No alterations. Normal wear as expected from use. LOA from James Spence & Steve Grad/PSA DNA. Reserve $1,000. Estimate $2,000/$3,000.SOLD FOR $1,624.00

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